NEWSLETTER Parish of St George Hanover Square

St George’s Church Grosvenor Chapel March — June 2018: issue 39 century. During this time, he Inside this issue has served three rectors and six church wardens and worked The Rector writes 2

alongside five vestry clerk/ Mayfair Organ Concerts 3 administrators. But he has of course been responsible for far Services at St George’s 4

more than his job title would Stop Press! 6 suggest. His prowess as a fund- raiser may have reached its Services at Grosvenor Chapel 7

peak with the substantial sum Prisons Mission 8 he raised from his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in St George’s School 10 2012, but year in year out he HPPEC 11 has braved the chill November wind selling poppies for the Contact details 12 Royal British Legion, generat- ing ever larger amounts in ly dedicated to the future plans heavy collecting tins. However, of what will by then be a two- it is probably for his work with storey church. the less fortunate who come each day to the church’s door th ST JAMES That is if there is to be a 40 that he will be most sorely edition! On 25th May 2018, St missed. Before the introduc- George’s, like all organisations n an earlier edition of this tion of the Homeless Food throughout the European Union, publication, we announced Voucher Scheme six years ago, will be subject to the General that Seamus O’Hare, verger he would daily reach into his Data Protection Regulation at St George’s for the past which in the UK replaces the I own pocket in response to 1998 Data Protection Act. To 25 years, would be reducing his pleas for the price of ‘a cup of hours. At the end of last year, ensure we are compliant with tea’. Thereafter he still did so GDPR, recipients of printed he retired. A large congregation when the need was for more copies of this 39th edition of the stayed behind after the Sung th than a food ticket and this is St George’s Newsletter will re- Eucharist on 11 February to before mention is made of the ceive a personalised compliance thank Seamus for all he has done ‘miraculous’ appearance at form for you to complete and for St George’s and to wish him Christmas and Easter of bas- return to us in the stamped ad- well in his retirement. During kets of sweets, eggs and fruit. dressed envelope provided. If the service the Rector had pre- you do not wish to continue re- His will truly be a hard act to ceiving our Newsletter you have sented him with statue of St follow. James (see above) and cheques nothing to do and your details Work on the Undercroft pro- will be removed from our data- from the congregation and gresses apace. Photographs of base. If on the other hand you choir. the present state of play punc- would like to go on receiving it It would be difficult to overstate tuate later pages of this publi- either electronically or through all that Seamus has contributed cation. The editor anticipates your letter box, please say so to the life and work of St that the next edition – its mile- and return the compliance George’s over a quarter of a stone 40th – will be substantial- form.

The Rector writes . . .

characters is rather cynically prays that God may sanctify his suggesting that prayer is only people ‘wholly’, with ‘spirit really about oneself and one’s and soul and body’ kept sound own needs and wants. He asks and blameless at the Lord’s Lina a direct question - Why do coming. Not forgetting the spir- you pray? And her reply comes: itual tradition of the Church To remind myself I have a soul. which also emphasises the heart, in the biblical sense of To remind myself I have a soul. the depth of one’s being, Perhaps timely in an age when where the person decides for or the collective notion of the soul against God. of a nation has all but disap- peared, but more importantly our own individual souls, and Holy Week Services: our awareness in this regard. If we are conscious merely of the Sunday 25th March physical and some vague spir- Palm Sunday Liturgy at 11am itual aspect of ourselves (so he Orange Tree Theatre in many reject organised religion Monday-Thursday Richmond is gradually and label themselves as spiritu- Holy Communion at 1.10pm working its way through al - approaching traditional re- George Bernard Shaw ligion as if it were just one op- Good Friday T tion worthy of equal attention plays, and early in the the New Liturgy of the Passion at 10am Year some friends had a spare as any New Age philosophy) and Bach’s St Matthew Passion ticket for Misalliance. Set in the have forgotten we have a soul, (with sermon) at 2.30pm conservatory of a large country then perhaps it is understanda- house in Hindhead, Surrey, a ble there isn’t the profound Sunday 1th April strong and colourful Polish acro- care and concern about where Easter Sunday bat called Lina literally drops in this soul of ours ends up. It is Sung Eucharist with renewal halfway through - her plane hav- only very recently that we of vows at 11am followed by a ing crashed. She then proceeds seem not to be bothered about reception. to juggle with the helplessly Heaven and Hell in the way smitten men. In the midst of that our forbears were. Members of the congregation which I was surprised at how (but regretfully not their guests much reference Shaw gives to What is the Christian teaching due to limited space) who wish matters of faith and religion. I'd about the soul? Each of us is to attend the St Matthew Pas- always assumed he was an athe- made in the image of God. sion should please inform the ist or at least agnostic. However, Body and soul. Human persons Verger, Richard Buck by Mon- it seems after a childhood of at- are beings who are at once cor- day 26th March. tending Church and then becom- poreal and spiritual. The soul is ing an atheist, he gave up athe- our innermost aspect. The Mothering Sunday is on Sun- ism around the age of 30. And he Church teaches that the unity day 11th March and all chil- was in his mid 50s when this play of soul and body is so profound dren and families are warmly was written in 1909/10. Just a that one has to consider the invited to join us for what are couple of years earlier he wrote soul to be the ‘form’ of the thrice yearly services where this: When you are asked, body…i.e. it is because of its children are involved in leading "Where is God? Who is God?" spiritual soul that the body worship/reading, and the ser- stand up and say, "I am God and made of matter becomes a liv- mon geared to families with here is God, not as yet complet- ing, human body. Spirit and children at the Sung Eucharist ed, but still advancing towards matter, in man, are not two at 11am. Followed by custom- completion, just in so much as I natures united, but rather their ary refreshments. am working for the purpose of union forms a single nature. the universe, working for the Whitsunday on 20th May is of good of the whole of society and Perhaps worth mentioning is course another Sunday when the whole world, instead of the Church’s teaching that eve- we extend a similar invitation merely looking after my person- ry spiritual soul is created by to families to celebrate Pente- al ends. God – it is not ‘produced’ by cost, and again followed by the parents. Also that it is im- drinks. He ultimately believed that from mortal...it does not perish the life force driving evolution when it separates from the St George’s Patronal Festival will emerge a godlike race, fol- body at death. It will be reunit- will be kept this year on Sunday lowing the approach of Nietzsche ed with the body at the final 22nd April at which The Very and a Superman. But he certainly Resurrection. Sometimes the Revd Nicholas Frayling – retired gave Lina a line I shall never for- soul is distinguished from the Dean of Chichester will be the get in Misalliance. One of the spirit – St Paul for example 2 preacher, and the Sung Eucha- Requiem for departed rist will be followed by a festive loved ones will be cele- reception. brated on Friday 13th April at 1.10pm. Please inform The Annual Parochial Church the Verger if you wish to Meeting is on Wednesday 25th include names for prayer. April at 6.30pm. Members of Contact details are on the the Parochial Church Council back page. are elected at this meeting which is preceded by the Annu- Holy Cocktail Hour Open al Vestry Meeting to elect House – all are welcome for Churchwardens. Please join us drinks on Wednesdays 9th to hear reports and plans for May, 13th June and 4th July the future. at 6.30pm until 8pm at the Rectory, 21a Down Street Marriage Renewal Sunday will W1J 7AW - entrance in Brick be on Sunday 8th July followed Street opposite the tapas by a reception. bar – top bell.

There are daily prayers in church, Monday – Thursday at 12.10pm The Midday Office is said on most days except when the Eucharist is celebrated on Fridays and Saints Days. Please join us if you are in the area. UNDERCROFT DEVELOPMENT

EXCAVATION IN THE SOUTH YARD

Mayfair Organ Concerts

A weekly series of lunchtime organ concerts now beginning its sixth year at St George’s, Hanover Square & the Grosvenor Chapel. Every Tuesday 1.10-1.50pm Free admission—retiring collection

March 6 April 17 June 5 St George’s St George’s Grosvenor Chapel Ben Comeau (London) Nicholas Morris (St George’s) Travis Baker (St Mary’s, Putney) J S Bach, Brahms, Debussy, Liddle April 24 June 12 March 13 Grosvenor Chapel St George’s Grosvenor Chapel Jacob Collins Ashley Wagner Christopher Strange (Organ Scholar, Grosvenor Chapel) (Birmingham Conservatoire) (Organ Scholar, Chelmsford Cathedral) May 1 June 19 J S Bach, Brahms, Stanley St George’s Grosvenor Chapel (Seattle) Jonathan Allsopp March 20 (Organ Scholar, Westminster June 26 St George’s (LHF) Cathedral) St George’s Marko Sever (Royal Academy of Natalia Letyuk (Moscow) Music) May 8 Grosvenor Chapel March 27 Richard Hobson (Grosvenor Grosvenor Chapel (LHF) Chapel) Grosvenor Chapel Choir Couperin, J S Bach, Franck, Stanley, Jacob Collins (organ), Reger Richard Hobson (director) Music for Holy Week by Heinrich May 15 Schütz and English contemporaries St George’s of Handel Jillian Gardner (Waco, Texas) April 3 St George’s (LHF) May 22 Graham Thorpe (RCM) Grosvenor Chapel Chris Bragg (University of April 10 St Andrews) Grosvenor Chapel Alexander Hamilton May 29 (Organ Scholar, Trinity College, St George’s Cambridge) Janette Fishell

3 Services at St George’s March — June 2018

Wednesday 14th March Thursday 29th March 12.10 Midday Prayer Maundy Thursday 5.45pm Holy Communion 1.10pm Holy Communion

Thursday 15th March Friday 30th March 12.10pm Midday Prayer Good Friday 10.00am Liturgy BCP (said) Friday 16th March 2.30pm Vespers 1.10pm Holy Communion Preacher: The Rector Thursday 1st March St Matthew Passion (J S Bach) St David, Bp of Minevia, Sunday 18th March (by ticket only: Patron of Wales c 601 5th Sunday in Lent from London Handel Festival box 12.10pm Midday Prayer Passion Sunday office 01460 54660) 8.30am Holy Communion (said) Friday 2nd March 11.00am Sung Eucharist Sunday 1st April St Chad, Bp of Lichfield, Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector EASTER DAY Missionary, 672 Missa Iste Confessor (Palestrina) 8.30am Holy Communion (said) 1.10pm Holy Communion Christus factus est (Bruckner) 11.00am Sung Eucharist Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Sunday 4th March (J S Bach) Coronation Mass (Mozart) 3rd Sunday in Lent Haec Dies (Byrd) 8.30am Holy Communion (said) Monday 19th March Prelude in G major (Bach) 11.00am Sung Eucharist 12.10pm Midday Prayer Celebrant: The Rector Monday 2nd April Preacher: Tuesday 20th March No services The Revd Dr Alan McCormack 12.10pm Midday Prayer Missa Sine Nomine (Hassler) Tuesday 3rd April Purge me, O Lord (Tallis) Wednesday 21st March 12.10pm Midday Prayer Psalm Prelude Set 2/i St Benedict, ‘de profundis’ (Howells) Abbot of Monte Cassino, c550 Wednesday 4th April 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer Monday 5th March 5.45pm Holy Communion 5.45pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer Thursday 22nd March Thursday 5th April Tuesday 6th March 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer Friday 23rd March Friday 6th April Wednesday 7th March 1.10pm Holy Communion 1.10pm Holy Communion St Perpetua, Martyr at Carthage, 203 Sunday 25th March Sunday 8th April 12.10pm Midday Prayer Palm Sunday 1st Sunday after Easter 5.45pm Holy Communion 8.30am Holy Communion (said) 8.30am Holy Communion (said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist 11.00am Sung Eucharist Thursday 8th March Celebrant: The Rector Celebrant: The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer Preacher: Preacher: The Revd Alan McCormack Canon Alistair MacDonald-Radcliff Friday 9th March Missa Brevis (Mathias) Communion Service in C (Ireland) 1.10pm Holy Communion Passion according to St Matthew Since by man came death (Handel) (Lassus) Paraphrase sur un chœur de Sunday 11th March Hosanna to the Son of David ‘Judas Maccabæus’ (Guilmant) 4th Sunday in Lent (Weelkes) Mothering Sunday Sonata No 3 – Con moto maestoso Monday 9th April 8.30am Holy Communion (said) (Mendelssohn) The Annunciation of the BVM 11.00am Sung Eucharist (transferred) Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Monday 26th March 12.10pm Midday Prayer Missa Brevis (Grayston Ives) Monday in Holy Week Wash me throughly (S S Wesley) 1.10pm Holy Communion Tuesday 10th April Kleine Choralpartita (Eben) 12.10pm Midday Prayer Tuesday 27th March Monday 12th March Tuesday in Holy Week Wednesday 11th April St Gregory the Great, 1.10pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer Bishop of Rome 604 5.45pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer Wednesday 28th March Wednesday in Holy Week Thursday 12th April Tuesday 13th March 1.10pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer

4 nd st Friday 13th April Wednesday 2 May Monday 21 May 1.10pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion th Tuesday 22nd May Sunday 15 April rd 2nd Sunday after Easter Thursday 3 May 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer Wednesday 23rd May 11.00am Sung Eucharist th Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Friday 4 May Ember Day Missa Che fà hoggi il mio sole 1.10pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer (Allegri) 5.45pm Holy Communion Sunday 6th May Surgens Jesus (Phillips) th th Toccata in C (Sweelinck) 5 Sunday after Easter Thursday 24 May Rogation Sunday 12.10pm Midday Prayer th 8.30am Holy Communion (said) Monday 16 April th 12.10pm Midday Prayer 11.00am Sung Eucharist Friday 25 May Celebrant & Preacher: Ember Day Tuesday 17th April Preb William Scott 1.10pm Holy Communion Missa Brevis in D (Mozart) 12.10pm Midday Prayer th Vidi aquam (Gabriel Jackson) Sunday 27 May Wednesday 18th April Meditation on John Keble’s Rogation- TRINITY SUDAY 12.10pm Midday Prayer tide Hymn (Ireland) 8.30am Holy Communion (said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist 5.45pm Holy Communion th Monday 7 May Celebrant & Preacher: Thursday 19th April Rogation Day The Revd Dr Alan McCormack St Alphege, Archbishop of 12.10pm Midday Prayer Mass in G (Schubert) Hymn to the Trinity (Tchaikovsky) Canterbury, Martyr 1012 th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Tuesday 8 May Te Deum (Demessieux) Rogation Day th Friday 20th April 12.10pm Midday Prayer Monday 28 May 1.10pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer Wednesday 9th May th Sunday 22nd April Rogation Day Tuesday 29 May St George’s Patronal Festival 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (said) 5.45pm Holy Communion Wednesday 30th May 11.00am Sung Eucharist th Celebrant: The Rector Thursday 10 May 12.10pm Midday Prayer Preacher: ASCENSION DAY 5.45pm Holy Communion The Revd Nicholas Frayling 1.10pm Holy Communion Thursday 31st May Communion Service in A th (Stanford) Friday 11 May The Visitation of the BVM Anthem for St George 1.10pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Midday Prayer

(Antony le Fleming) th st Exsultate (Bryan Kelly) Sunday 13 May Friday 1 June Sunday after Ascension Day St Nicomede, Priest & Monday 23rd April 8.30am Holy Communion (said) Martyr at Rome 12.10pm Midday Prayer 11.00am Sung Eucharist 1.10pm Holy Communion Part of the London Festival of th Contemporary Church Music Sunday 3rd June Tuesday 24 April st 12.10pm Midday Prayer Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector 1 Sunday after Trinity Missa San Marco (Ronald Corp) 8.30am Holy Communion (said) Wednesday 25th April O clap your hands (Grayston Ives) 11.00am Sung Eucharist St Mark the Evangelist Vox Dicentis (Simon Preston) Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Missa Brevis (Simon Williams) 12.10pm Midday Prayer th 5.45pm Holy Communion Monday 14 May O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht St Matthias, Apostle (J S Bach) Thursday 26th April 12.10pm Midday Prayer Prelude in E minor (J S Bach)

12.10pm Midday Prayer th th Tuesday 15 May Monday 4 June Friday 27th April 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer

1.10pm Holy Communion th th Wednesday 16 May Tuesday 5 June Sunday 29th April 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 4th Sunday after Easter 5.45pm Holy Communion Wednesday 6th June 8.30am Holy Communion (said) th 11.00am Sung Eucharist Thursday 17 May St Boniface of Crediton, Bishop, Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer Apostle of Germany, Martyr 754 12.10pm Midday Prayer Missa in tempore Paschali th (Philip Moore) Friday 18 May 5.45pm Holy Communion Let all mortal flesh keep silence 1.10pm Holy Communion Thursday 7th June (Bairstow) th Paean (Howells) Sunday 20 May 12.10pm Midday Prayer WHIT SUNDAY th Monday 30th April 8.30am Holy Communion (said) Friday 8 June 12.10pm Midday Prayer 11.00am Sung Eucharist 1.10pm Holy Communion Celebrant: The Rector Tuesday 1st May Preacher: Ss Philip and James, Apostles The Revd Dr Alan McCormack 12.10pm Midday Prayer Mass in F sharp minor (Widor) Cantique de Jean Racine (Fauré) Choral varié sur le theme du ‘Veni Creator’ (Duruflé) 5 Tuesday 26th June Thursday 14th June 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer Wednesday 27th June Friday 15th June 12.10pm Midday Prayer 1.10pm Holy Communion 5.45pm Holy Communion

Sunday 17th June Thursday 28th June 3rd Sunday after Trinity 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist Friday 29th June Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector St Peter, the Apostle Missa Collegium Regale (Howells) 1.10pm Holy Communion Like as the hart (Howells) Rhapsody No 3 in C sharp minor Howells)

Monday 18th June 12.10pm Midday Prayer

th London Handel Festival Tuesday 19 June 12.10pm Midday Prayer ‘Handel in London’ Wednesday 20th June Translation of Edward, 17 March—16 April 2018 King of the West Saxons, 979 th Sunday 10 June 12.10pm Midday Prayer Performances at 2nd Sunday after Trinity 5.45pm Holy Communion 8.30am Holy Communion (said) St George’s include 11.00am Sung Eucharist Thursday 21st June a liturgical performance at Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer 2.30pm on Good Friday of Missa Cantate Domino (Lobo) nd Ego sum panis vivus (Byrd) Friday 22 June Bach St Matthew Passion Fugue in C major (J S Bach) 1.10pm Holy Communion

Monday 11th June Sunday 24th June Nathan Vale Evangelist & tenor St Barnabas the Apostle 4th Sunday after Trinity George Humphreys Christus & 12.10pm Midday Prayer Nativity of St John the Baptist bass 8.30am Holy Communion (said) Marie Lys soprano 11.00am Sung Eucharist Marcjanna Myrlak contralto Tuesday 12th June Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Choir of St George’s 12.10 Midday Prayer Missa Brevis in D minor (Mozart) London Handel Orchestra This is the record of John (Gibbons) Laurence Cummings conductor Wednesday 13th June Fantasia in A minor (Byrd) 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion Monday 25th June For full details and tickets 12.10pm Midday Prayer www.london-handel-

STOP PRESS

The Rector is planning a St George’s fun weekend in Dublin in June, thanks to the good offices and connections of Dr Alan McCormack who for nearly ten years was Dean of Chapel and Chaplain of Trin- ity College Dublin, as well as working at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and being the Archbishops’s Domestic Chaplain. Would anybody who is interested in joining this trip please contact the Rector at [email protected]

Participants will be expected to make their own travel arrangements and book their own hotel, alt- hough of course as we gauge interest he will inform those who are coming where he plans to stay. We are at an early stage of planning at the moment, but the provisional plans are:

Friday 15th June 18:00 Prosecco Party hosted by a friend of Fr Alan followed by fun dinner locally…possibly Italian

Saturday 16th June 10:00 VIP Tour of Trinity College Dublin with Book of Kells and Old Library, Chapel etc. led by Joseph O’Gorman, Dean of Discipline 12:30 Lunch locally 14:30 Tour of Parliament/National Museum/Marsh's Library/Fishamble Street (Handel connections of course) and shopping 19:00 Smart Dinner at the University Club with the Archbishop of Dublin as our guest

Sunday 17th June 11:00 The Rector has been invited to preach at Christ Church Cathedral by Dean Dermot Dunne who we shall invite to be our guest for lunch afterwards 15:15 Evensong at St Patrick's Cathedral Free to return to London after 16:30 6 Services at Grosvenor Chapel March — June 2018

Sunday 4th March Sunday 1st April The Third Sunday of Lent Easter Day 11.00 Sung Eucharist 11.00 Sung Eucharist Allegri with orchestra Missa Che fà hoggi il mio sole Walford Davies Walton Drop, drop slow tears O sons and daughters Mozart Mass in C major K259 Wednesday 7th March Mozart Regina coeli K276 6.30 Vespers Vivaldi Music by James MacMillan Concerto for Two Trumpets

th th Sunday 11 March Sunday 8 April The Fourth Sunday of Lent The Second Sunday of Easter Sunday 27th May 11.00 Sung Eucharist 11.00 Sung Eucharist Trinity Sunday Britten Missa Brevis Mass with hymns & organ music 11.00 Sung Eucharist Mathias th Mozart Trinitatis-Messe K167 As truly as God is our Father Sunday 15 April Philips Tibi laus, tibi gloria Bach Kyrie, Gott Heiliger Geist The Third Sunday of Easter 11.00 Sung Eucharist rd th Sunday 3 June Sunday 18 March Guerrero The First Sunday after Trinity The Fifth Sunday of Lent Missa Simile est regnum 11.00 Sung Eucharist 11.00 Sung Eucharist Lhéritier Surrexit pastor bonus Hobson Mass for Five Voices Guerrero nd Messiaen O sacrum convivium Missa de la Batalla Escoutez Sunday 22 April Robert White The Fourth Sunday of Easter Sunday 10th June Ad te levavi oculos meos 11.00 Sung Eucharist The Second Sunday after Trinity Darke Communion Service in E th 11.00 Sung Eucharist Sunday 25 March Stanford Grayston Ives Missa Brevis Palm Sunday Ye choirs of new Jerusalem Elizabeth Poston Jesus Christ, 11.00 Sung Eucharist th the apple tree Weelkes Sunday 29 April Hosanna to the Son of David The Fifth Sunday of Easter Sunday 17th June Lassus 11.00 Sung Eucharist The Third Sunday after Trinity Missa super osculetur me Palestrina Missa Brevis 11.00 Sung Eucharist Victoria St Matthew Passion Byrd Cibavit eos Victoria Missa Trahe me post te Lassus Improperium Giaches de Wert Sunday 6th May th Ascendente Jesus in naviculum Thursday 29 March The Sixth Sunday of Easter Maundy Thursday 11.00 Sung Eucharist Sunday 24th June Victoria Missa Quarti Toni Ireland Communion Service in C The Nativity of Stanford Gloria in B flat Ireland Greater love St John the Baptist Duruflé Ubi caritas 11.00 Sung Eucharist Vaughan Williams Sunday 13th May Bartolini Messa a Cinque Voci Love bade me welcome Sunday after Ascension Day Gibbons Anerio Christus factus est 11.00 Sung Eucharist & dedica- Tallis tion of tympanum sculpture The Lamentation of Jeremiah Haydn Missa Brevis in F Grosvenor Chapel Amner He that descended Bank Holiday Special Friday 30th March James MacMillan New work Monday 28th May Good Friday 3.00pm Plainsong The St John Passion Sunday 20th May John of Portugal Crux Fidelis Pentecost Organ Recital Victoria The Reproaches 11.00 Sung Eucharist by Lotti Victoria William Whitehead Crucifixus etiam pro nobis Missa Alma redemptoris Francis Jackson Come, thou Holy Paraclete Followed by tea & cake!

7 Churches Together in Westminster Prisons Mission

become the people we are in HEATHROW spite of all adversity? How to IMMIGRATION REMOVAL CENTRE discover meaning for our lives even in the corridors of unknow- The Revd Richard Carter of St Martin- ing.” in-the-Fields recently joined a group of Prisons Mission volunteers to visit The Managing Chaplain Revd Pat- the Centre at Heathrow - a prison in rick Wright, and the detainees all but name. In his sermon soon af- need more volunteers to visit ter, he explained: “we had to apply the Immigration Removal Centre in advance in order to visit. Arriving and walk these corridors. we had to have our documents checked, finger prints taken, show proof of identity, show proof of ad- dress, before being led into a small room for a body search - and then through one set of security doors and then another. Eventually I am in- side. And what is inside - well basi- welcomed by the multi-faith Chap- cally corridors and corridors of 100s laincy Team and have been invited of people waiting they know not how to sing at a special service at East- long, people who have been locked er. It is clear that special services up as the Home Office waits to try provide a welcome change from the and process them for deporta- grim daily routine and are enjoyed tion. They have not been charged or by some non-Christian inmates. sentenced. They are just wait- ing. Here there is no grass, no gar- At Bronzefield prison, every one of den, nothing grows, just cells, and the 560 women and girls was given a corridors, a tarmac courtyard and “Goody Bag” on Christmas Day, con- people locked in this prefabricated taining face cream, chocolate and labyrinth of corridors. One room has other small gifts. This was the re- been made into a prayer room for sult of a lot of work by the Chaplain- Muslims, another for Christians. And cy Team, who had collected the the prayers of those who sat inside items from local shops, with the were palpable. Next door was a mu- help of several churches. sic room with a set of drums which someone was banging loudly. Small TOOTHPICK LADY cells, bunk beds and these long corri- DON’T GO TO THE DENTIST IN dors with no way out. Some of those in this centre have been here for as PRISON! long as two years, waiting to hear what will happen to them. They are CHRISTMAS IN PRISON not criminals, they are people who Prisons Mission volunteers at- came to our country seeking a fu- tended or contributed to special ture, a place to belong, and an es- Christmas services inside HMPs cape from poverty. Human beings Bronzefield and Wormwood with all the diversity that fills this Scrubs as well as Heathrow Im- church. Somehow the institutional migration Removal Cen- efficiency of it all makes the incredi- tre. Christmas is an especially ble tragedy and waste of people’s difficult time for inmates. In lives starker. And yet what do I also addition to the pain of separa- see here? I see despite all that is tion from any remaining links stacked against these lives a human with families and children, many courage and a resilience. Yes, a prison officers have time off grace and a dignity. I don’t know work to be with their fami- how it survives but it does. In this lies. As a result, prisoners are despair it is somehow more abun- often locked up in shared cells dantly evident than in so called liber- for up to 23 hours each day, with ty.” After further descriptions, Rich- no access to recreation, educa- ard goes on to say: “I walk away from tion, worship, or other activi- the centre free but I walk away that ties. There is extra tension as night held captive by these lives go- sad and lonely inmates also be- ing round and round in my come angry. head. How can we live the Christian life when we read the signs of the Christmas services provide a fo- INSIDE THE PRISON LIBRARY times and there seems no hope? How cus for enthusiastic singing and participation. A group of franco- can we dream of something bet- CHURCHES SHOW PRISONERS’ ART ter? And though I pray that we will phone women from sub Saharan never face the same extreme - is African countries formed a group The Koestler Trust is the UK’s lead- their story not a metaphor for all our from Notre Dame de France to ing prison arts charity. It plays a stories - how to overcome futility, visit the detainees’ service at vital part in the rehabilitation jour- how to face our despair and how to Heathrow. They were warmly ney offered to prisoners and ex-

8 prisoners to transform their lives Suitable volunteers are urgently simple form of Christian ministry through participation in arts. Our needed for regular work inside and which aims to support the multi- Prisons Mission has developed a outside all three prisons and at faith Prison Chaplaincy Teams, visit very useful relationship with the Heathrow. Training is provided, vol- isolated and vulnerable inmates and Koestler Trust. This Spring we will unteers are not dropped into the take learning about prisons and the launch the Four Churches Show of deep end and support is given by system back to the congregations of Art by Prisoners. Artwork will be peers and at bi-monthly Review member churches. All the inmates exhibited at St James’s Piccadilly, Meetings. But, the process of secu- are there in our name. Despite St Martin-in-the-Fields, Notre rity clearance takes several months, these aims, we find that as volun- Dame de France and Bloomsbury so potential volunteers are advised teers become more informed about Central Baptist Church. It is hoped to discuss prospects and opportuni- life behind prison walls, they often that the artwork will be the focus ties with the Coordinator early, in feel compelled to argue about it. for other prison related activities, order to begin the useful, worth- One example was the concern felt discussions, lectures, displays and while and rewarding work in the on learning that Bronzefield prison dramas, providing information Summer or Autumn. discharges an average of 58 women about the prison and criminal jus- and girls each month to “no fixed tice system, not only to the regular abode”. They are not even “sofa congregations, but to a wider audi- PRISONS WEEK surfing”. Such ex-offenders have ence. little prospect of avoiding re- 14th to 21st OCTOBER 2018 offending. Our review of Prisons Week 2017 has The recent appointment of David shown that more churches, of differ- Gauke, as the sixth Justice Secre- ent denominations, than ever be- tary since 2010, is a sign of further fore, conducted a variety of services change within the prison and proba- and other events to mark the tion system. Lord Ramsbotham, the week. Our Resources for Prisons former HM Chief Inspector of Pris- Week booklet was much improved ons, who now sits as a Crossbench and was widely used by churches far Peer, tells the newspaper Inside beyond London and even a few over- Time (February 2018) of “The criti- seas. cal importance for staff of con- sistent policy direction.” He argues We are keen to encourage and ena- that ”unless things are right for ble more churches to bring the crisis staff, nothing will be right for of- in our prisons to the attention of fenders, which as report after re- congregations in 2018. We have port from respective Chief Inspec- therefore decided to revise and re- tors disclose, they clearly are not at fresh our booklet for use this year, th st present”. The present Chief In- between 14 and 21 October. Sa- spector Peter Clarke has demanded rah Jane Vernon has agreed to edit that the new Justice Secretary the material again, John Rowland “intervenes to ensure urgent action will assist with the design and the to save lives and protect fearful Koestler Trust will provide the art- prisoners in the fundamentally un- work by prisoners. We need the safe HMP Nottingham.” The new help of the congregation of St protocol requires David Gauke to George’s church and other respond within 28 days. friends. Please send us your sugges- tions for prayers, readings, reflec- Nottingham prison is not on the reg- tions, poetry, or other material ular beat of our Prisons Mission, but INSIDE OUT which you think will help to bring the Coordinator studies all inspec- the subject to the attention of peo- tion reports and they make very ple who know little about prisoners, worrying reading. Many British pris- BEFRIENDING PROGRAMMES their families, prison officers and ons are overcrowded, unsafe, dirty, vermin infested and inadequately Several Prisons Mission volunteers staffed. These establishments are have undertaken special training in not places of hope and restoration order to mentor prisoners for a few for often damaged and vulnerable weeks both before and after dis- men, women and children, convict- charge from custody. This is in- ed of criminal offences, or awaiting tended to aid resettlement and trial. We must provide places in reduce the incidence of reoffend- which such people are encouraged ing. It is often a frustrating task and assisted towards independent when, for example, a ‘persistent crime free lives, while serving the prolific offender” is released with custodial sentences imposed by our no suitable accommodation, no courts. employment, broken family links and a £46 Discharge Grant. Such programmes are much better than nothing, do achieve some positive John Plummer results and are a valued form of Coordinator. Prisons Mission ministry. Churches Together in Westminster The Befriending Programme at DARK PAST BRIGHT FUTURE Wandsworth prison is about to be revived and a new scheme will soon start at Wormwood victims of crime. Scrubs. The new Community Chap- lain at Bronzefield is beginning a mentoring project to help women NOT A CAMPAIGN - BUT! and girls on release. Our Prisons Mission is not a campaign for prison reform. It is a modest and

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St George’s Hanover Square Primary School

Mrs Judith Standing, Headteacher for parents and friends. Our choir of Jesus, how he forgave people of St George’s Hanover Square Pri- also sang at several events across and how we can learn to be more mary School writes: Westminster, including at St John’s like him. We are still looking for Smith Square. members of the local church Before Christmas we were able to community to help us lead a tell you a little bit about our amaz- As well as loving music, we are very prayer space day. If this is some- ing school, its history and its links active, and after Christmas we thing you might be interested in, with the church. We are now half- started before-school fitness ses- please email me at way through our school year and so sions. From 8:30am our pupils are [email protected] or much has happened, we would love able to join in with exercise activi- speak to the Rector or Sarah to tell you some more about us. ties which are led by experienced Jackson-Stevens (Chair of Gover- sports coaches. All the additional nors and PCC member) for more Christmas seems such a long time exercise helps the children learn! information. We would love your ago now, but at St George’s we cele- support. brated in style. Our Christmas ser- We have had three values days this vice, held at the Grosvenor Chapel, year. These have been on respect, As always, if you haven’t visited included the children singing in Eng- friendship and kindness. Our value our school yet and would like to, lish and Latin. Each class as well as for this half term is forgiveness. We please contact me on the above our choir took turns in leading carols will continue to learn about the life email and I would love to ar- range a visit for you.

10 Hyde Park Place Estate Charity

CIVIL TRUSTEES At their meeting on 29th November 2017, the Civil Trustees of the Hyde Park Place Estate Charity awarded grants totalling £66,808 to the following organisations working in the City of Westminster:

St Andrew’s Club Beanstalk Blind in Business Shelter Hyde Park Appeal (Liberty Drives) All Souls Clubhouse The Cara Trust St John’s Wood Adventure Playground Crisis UK - Crisis at Christmas UCanDoIT Zacchaeus 2000 Trust St John’s Hyde Park St George’s Hanover Square - ‘Morning Calm’ Age UK Westminster The Princes Trust London Handel Society - London Handel Festival St George’s School St George’s Hanover Square - Refreshment Coupon Scheme

The next meeting of the Civil Trustees will be on Wednesday 7th March 2018 (application deadline 19th February). A further meeting will be held in May/June.

ECCLESIASTICAL TRUSTEES

A total of £490,875 was awarded in grants at the Eccle- siastical Trustees’ meeting held on Sunday 26th Novem- ber 2017, for the benefit of the churches and clergy based in the original historic parish of St George’s Hano- ver Square. The next meeting will be held in May.

Shirley Vaughan Clerk to the Trustees

UNDERCROFT DEVELOPMENT UPPER: THE FOORING GOES DOWN LOWER: THE NEW STAIRCASE AWAITING STONE SLABS

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PARISH OF ST GEORGE, HANOVER SQUARE Charity No: 1134811

St George’s Church The Vestry, 2A Mill Street, London W1S 1FX Tel: 020 7629 0874 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.stgeorgeshanoversquare.org

SGHS Enterprises Ltd Company No 10023760 VAT No 276582758 Email: [email protected]

St George’s Hanover Square Foundation Charity No 1120505 Email: [email protected]

Hyde Park Place Estate Charity Charity No 212439 Email: [email protected]

Grosvenor Chapel 24 South Audley Street, London W1K 2PA Tel: 020 7499 1684 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.grosvenorchapel.org.uk

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